efficient

[ ih-fish-uhnt ]

adjective

1. performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable:

   a reliable, efficient assistant.

   Synonyms: effectual

2. satisfactory and economical to use:

   Our new air conditioner is more efficient than our old one.

3. producing an effect, as a cause; causative.
4. utilizing a particular commodity or product with the least waste of resources or effort (usually used in combination):

   a fuel-efficient engine.

efficient

/ ɪˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

1. functioning or producing effectively and with the least waste of effort; competent
2. philosophy producing a direct effect; causative

Derived Forms

• efˈficiently, adverb

Other Words From

• ef·fi·cient·ly adverb
• non·ef·fi·cient adjective
• qua·si-ef·fi·cient adjective
• su·per·ef·fi·cient adjective
• un·ef·fi·cient adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficient¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin efficient- (stem of efficiēns ), equivalent to ef- ef- + fic-, combining form of facere “to make, do ¹ ” + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficient¹

C14: from Latin efficiēns effecting

Example Sentences

Integrates into tools like HubSpot and Salesforce to make post-event followups more efficient.

From TechCrunch

Despite our reliance on electronic storage, we still need efficient and secure cabinets to store our important personal papers.

From Popular-Science

Not because it competes with Snowflake, but because it's utilizing a new online bidding process that's designed to find the most efficient IPO price.

From Axios

Under the most efficient GOP gerrymander, there are likely 13 safe Republican seats, with the Democrats packed into one Pittsburgh seat and four in and around Philadelphia.

From Vox

This will likely take some work and is certainly not the most efficient way to do business for Google, but it is arguably the best way to do business.

From Search Engine Land

Build evidence about the practices, policies, and programs that will achieve the most effective and efficient results.

From The Daily Beast

As more people come online, the most basic tasks—such as going out to the market to sell produce—will become more efficient.

From The Daily Beast

The now-efficient process “once took a month by former means and now actually takes a day,” says Dr. Khan.

From The Daily Beast

“Running is just that much more efficient in expending more calories in a shorter amount of time,” Williams says.

From The Daily Beast

Bureaucratic inertia is, by long tradition, the most efficient dispatcher of scandals.

From The Daily Beast

But the system was unsatisfactory, led to jealousies, weakened discipline, and was not conducive to efficient working.

From Project Gutenberg

Speaking generally, the Dominion railways are highly efficient and serve their purpose well.

From Project Gutenberg

The disciples of Somers maintained that, if it was right to have an army at all, it must be right to have an efficient army.

From Project Gutenberg

If by chance the detritus accumulates rapidly, the slope is steepened and the work of the torrent made more efficient.

From Project Gutenberg

Their labors were so faithful and efficient, that a vote of thanks was tendered them by the Committee.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• able
• active
• adept
• adequate
• capable
• competent
• decisive
• dynamic
• economical
• effective
• energetic
• potent
• powerful
• productive
• profitable
• skilled
• skillful
• tough
• useful
• valuable

When To Use

What are other ways to say efficient?

A person or a thing that is efficient performs or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort. But efficient isn’t quite the same as effectual, efficacious, or effective! Find out why on Thesaurus.com.